PARENTAL STRESS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE AS PREDICTORS OF MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN RIVERS STATE

Abstract

The study investigated parental stress and substance use as psychosocial predictors of mental health challenges among undergraduate students in tertiary institutions in Rivers State. Correlational research design was used for the study. Two objectives, two research questions were answered while two corresponding null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. A sample of 1,324 undergraduate students from a population of 78,525 undergraduate students was used for the study. Multistage sampling procedure was used. Instruments for data collection were titled psychosocial predictors questionnaire and mental health challenges scale comprising a 21 item self -report inventory known as DASS-Depression, anxiety, stress scales were used. The instruments were validated by the researcher’s supervisor and two other experts in measurement and evaluation in the department of Educational Psychological Guidance and Counselling University of Port Harcourt Choba. The coefficients of reliability for the two instruments were done using the Cronbach alpha reliability method of  internal consistency, and the following reliabilities were obtained, psychosocial predictors questionnaire 0.835 and mental health challenges scale 0.911. The research questions were answered using simple regression while the null hypotheses were tested using t-test associated with simple regression. Findings revealed among others that there is a low and weak positive prediction between parental stress and mental health challenges among undergraduate students in tertiary institutions in Rivers State, same for substance use and mental health challenges among undergraduate students in tertiary institutions in Rivers State and the prediction is statistically significant. Based on these findings it was recommended among others that parents should use the right parenting styles targeted at showing love, care, support and empathy towards their children. And secondly professional counsellors and mental health experts or specialists or healthcare providers should tailor interventions towards organizing seminars, workshops, counselling sessions/psychoeducation and screening tests for students with substance use or alcohol use disorder. Also, those with chronic mental health challenges can be provided with medical care and intervention in a mental health facility with the support of their parents.